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Dual themes of Heart and Beat inspire this program of rhythmic vibrancy and emotional depth. We premiere our new commission by Sydney-based composer Jessica Wells, who is well-known in the commercial music world, as in her theme to the ABC program Q & A. Her concert music is increasingly making waves and has been premiered in the 2018 London Proms. Beside this new work, we find plenty of heart in the Brahms Clarinet Trio which stirs the passions of the soul. French composer Jacques Ibert’s Deux Interludes for flute, violin and piano provides something of a palette cleanser before we launch into the driving, pulsating energy of Mendelssohn’s exuberant String Quintet in B flat, with guest violist from the Tinalley Quartet, Justin Williams.

Life begins at 40

Professor Roger Covell’s idea for a resident ensemble at UNSW was initiated in 1979, coming to fruition in the first subscription season in 1980. Now, 40 years on, we can aver his idea has stood the test of time in style! Like all Australia Ensemble seasons, number 40 has the hallmarks of quality, diversity and variety. We pair something old with something new, and works of the canon beside less-familiar hidden gems.

Music of Mozart and Brahms again features prominently in 2019, as their timeless themes are rightly part of the established repertory. However, we also explore works unlikely to be found in a ‘Top 100’ CD box set: composers Gabriel Pierné and Ludwig Thuille may not be household names, yet their works presented here are fascinating, engaging and worthy of a place in concert programs.

We welcome special guests, mezzo soprano Fiona Campbell and harpist Alice Giles, to guide us through a program of Folksong-inspired compositions. We also welcome back a large range of visiting musicians who augment our core players in this richly diverse Australia Ensemble season. Our proud commitment to new music continues with world premieres by Andrew Ford and Jessica Wells, plus the Australian premieres of works by Americans David Bruce and Paul Moravec. We give pride of place to other local composers including Miriam Hyde, John Peterson and Martin Wesley-Smith in reprising their outstanding music.

Our 2019 season ranges across a great emotional landscape from the romantically sumptuous through to the contemporary edge. Along the way we flirt with popular styles too. It’s a veritable fiesta of music-making, eminently suitable for a significant anniversary. We plan to continue the 40th anniversary celebrations well into 2020. I heartily commend the 2019 season and hope to see you there amongst the loyal followers and new-devotees.